“REST”.

God has blessed my life in so many area. One significant blessing is to work for Oh So Smooth Radio, which has afforded a lot of great opportunities. From January 2017 until July 2018, I was blessed to wake up in a different city almost every weekend while still working my full-time job Monday – Thursday. Although I Love To travel and the work I continue to do for the station, the traveling completely drained me. In July 2018 God spoke to me & told me I needed to settle myself, I needed to take a timeout & Rest, I had no choice but to obey. I understand that it wasn’t God’s intention for me not to completely stop traveling, however I can’t neglect taking care of my myself (Spiritually, Mentally & Physically)….I needed to REST!!

RESTING is not just a “good idea”, it’s Imperative, Necessary for the health of our SPIRITUAL, MENTAL and PHYSICAL life. Resting is not just laying down for a nap. To Rest is to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself or recover strength, to take time to allow you Body, Heart & Mind to recharge. The need for rest CAN NOT be ignored; it is the law of God (Exodus 23:12). Just like the laws concerning eating, sowing, and reaping, we cannot break the law of resting without paying the price. If we don’t rest, we cut down our productivity, stifle our creativity and limit our fruitfulness in the kingdom of God. It’s ok to take some down time & focus on yourself. God didn’t put us here just to work, strive, accumulate things , become weary, tired, worn & stressed out. God wants us to ENJOY Him, His Creation and Fruits of our Labor. Even God rested from all of his labor, not because He was tired, but just to enjoy His CREATION (Genesis 2: 1-3). So as God did, so shall we DO! Take Time to REST and ENJOY what God has given YOU…..Your Life, Your Family, Your Blessings and YOURSELF!!!!

In my prayer to God I asked him to “Take Me Back” to the place where I first received him. I remember how my life had changed. I had a unquenchable desire for God, a hunger/thirst for his word & a unconditional love for his people.

Over time “I” had changed & lost sight of what ministry was really about…..Ministry is about “PEOPLE”.

Since I arrived in Florida, I’ve attended several different churches. They didn’t have the best preacher, choir or musicians but the love the have for God & their desire to know him was overwhelming & they demonstrate that ‘love’ in how they treat “people”. Some may look at this as a step down from the 1000+ member church that I left but for me but for me it was a step back, to start over.

I realize that in the scope of time I had become complacent. While in that state I allowed myself to be drawn away for the things/people of God & I fell under the influenced by those around me. I began to pick & choose the who, the what & the where based on how I saw things & not by the Spirit of God that dwelt within me. I became the very person I vowed NOT to be and Great was My Fall.

As hard as the fall was I can now say “Thank you Jesus” for knocking my off of my high-horse & removing the scales. For allowing my heart to broken so that you can change it. For showing me that ministry is not about sitting on the 2nd pew, having a designated parking spot or a title before my name. Thank You Lord for reminding me that this Christian Walk is not about me. It’s about showing your love to All People. This walk is a MINISTRY, this ministry is about obeying your will & your word. This Ministry is about Loving & Serving PEOPLE!.

In order to really experience life there has to be “Chapter Changes” (New Seasons). Look at your life like its a Great Book. A book becomes a number #1 best seller when it draws you in & moves you. It takes you up & down, makes you feel happy & sad, some things you expect & some things surprise you. With every chapter comes great expectation, you begin to become a part of the book, it draws you in and when the book is completed….you take something from it. Treat life the same way…God is the author of our life & he is writing a #1 Best Seller. As “Your” pages turn….embrace every emotion, every experience, all the smiles & all the tears because as long as you are breathing…..there will be a NEXT CHAPTER (a New Season).

Just like nobody wants to read a boring book……God’s doesn’t want us to live a boring life and it’s so easy to get stuck in the routine of complacency out of convenience.

So no matter how difficult “the chapter change” may have been or may be…….Praise God, for the new chapter being written in your Book called LIFE!

“When going up, consider how far down you must go”.

The Florida Palm Tree! Florida Palm tress are beautiful and considered a tourist attraction. The unique thing about Florida Palm trees is they are able to withstand hurricane force winds. They have what is called a “deep tap root”. This root will grow deep into the earth looking for 2 things…..1: a rock (concrete) and 2: water (life source). The “deep tab root” will wrap itself around the rock & continue to grow until it reaches a water source. This gives the palm tree the ability to bend at more than a 45 degree angle but the stability not to be uprooted when the strong Florida winds begin to blow.

Being Deep/Strong is about how we treat ourselves & our fellow man. The way we treat “people” (horizontal relationships) confirms our depth vertically. Everyone wants to go to the “next level”, “higher dimension”…..etc. But how deep are you willing to go, through your “personal sacrifice”, “giving up self rights” & “relationships with others”. Are you willing to be rooted in God & Discipline Yourself so that when the winds of life begin to blow (people, places & things)….You will be able to Maintain Your Integrity. When your are tempted & tried (in most cases) Maintain Self Control. You can talk about how deep & strong you are while the sun is shining but when the hurricane winds (People, Places & Things) begin to blow through your life, can you Stand Strong?

Can you Bend & Not Break!?

It’s easy to get caught up & fall into the trap of societies standards of Acceptance!

I was one who always based the acceptance of myself on the approval & acceptance of others. I found myself always adjusting to the opinions of others. If someone said I was too fat, I would loose weight, if someone said my hair was to long, I would cut it, if someone said I wore to much or too little make up…I would make the adjustment. I dummied down & dimmed my light because I thought that would make others accept me. Praise God, now I know better! Life is a great teacher & over the last few years it has taught me that my acceptance of myself is not predicated upon the opinions of others.

There comes a time in life when we have made a conscience effort to undo & unlearn so many behaviors and beliefs from my past. We must take the time to learn about ourselves and stop taking ourselves for granted. Listen, No, we’re not perfect, We all have flaws and issues that we struggle with internal & external…some we can change, some we can’t change & some we Shouldn’t want to change because they make us uniquely us but in all of that, Know This…..YOU ARE ENOUGH! Right where your are, Flaws & All…You Are Enough and you don’t need family, friend, foe or companion to affirm that. You start affirming yourself. You tell yourself, I AM ENOUGH! Enough for what? I’m glad you asked, You are enough for whatever God fearfully and wonderfully made you to be. You are enough to fulfill your destiny. You are enough to be genuinely loved & in love. You are enough to be the YOU, the you that doesn’t have to be a poor imitation of someone else. You are Enough to be Authentically You, learning Everyday to Love & Accept Yourself because YOU ARE ENOUGH!!!!

STOP Chasing People who don’t care about you. STOP Giving So Much to People who give you nothing in return. Stop Being at the “beck and call” of People you CAN’T count on. STOP Texting, Calling and Showing So Much Concern for People who only throw you a crumb to keep you connected. The TRUTH of the matter is, People Make Time for WHO & WHAT is important to Them. The PAINFUL REALITY is if They are not making time for YOU….”YOUR NOT IMPORTANT TO THEM!” If the ONLY TIME you hear from them is when you initiate contact…….

“YOUR NOT IMPORTANT TO THEM!” Think about it…….

1) How long does it take to make a phone call?

2) How long does it take to send a text message?

3) How long does it take to send an email?

4) They are probably on Social Media, so how about a Tweet, IG DM, Snap-Chat, Glide Message or FB Inbox message.

People will only treat you the way you allow yourself to be treated……Make Yourself a PRIORITY not a OPTION!

It’s a bitter pill, but I had to swallow it myself! #lessonlearned#

When you make a decision to CHANGE YOUR LIFE for the BETTER it seems as though things get harder. I don’t care who you are or how old you are…..People & Life Circumstances will “TRY YOU” and make you feel like Giving Up, Giving Out & Going back to the person you used to be. But I ENCOURAGE YOU to STAY FOCUSED & on Your Path to BETTER. Don’t get distracted by the MOP’s (Messy Oppressed People) and don’t get discouraged by FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real). Watch out for the People Assigned & Devices Designed to take you off coarse. Protect and Strengthen your Mind, Heart & Soul with the WORD of GOD, PRAYER, POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS & Most importantly “STAY WOKE”!

My Pastor said in his sermon on Sunday “We get so caught in what use to be that we forget what God has done in the past he can do again & and he can do it better. So don’t get caught in the past, Live in the moment understanding ‘Our Better Is Here’.”….OMG, what a Ah ha moment for me. 

When I was married, we were a very close family & the holidays were always very big at our house. We cooked & always had a house full of people….Family, Friends with Lots of Love & Fun. I could not imagine my holidays every being as wonderful as they were so after my divorce I stopped celebrating the holidays. Even though I had my children & grandchildren here with me, I still couldn’t bring myself out of that seasonal depression so for the past 6 years I’ve worked every Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & until 2 years New Years Eve & New Years Day. So when my pastor made that statement, it hit my heart. I begin to reflect on what the holiday really means. It’s not about celebrating the Pilgrims or Santa Claus. It’s not about over spending or having the perfect gift….it’s a season of sharing, a season of love, it’s a Special Time of the Year!!

So today Dec 13, 2018 even though I have no tree up, no decorations & although my family dynamic changed 6 years ago, I AM STILL BLESSED because God has done a “COMPLETE OVERHAUL” in my life and that’s the BEST GIFT I could ever receive so this year, I am committed to work but I will also be celebrating!!! I’m looking forward to spending time with the people I Love….creating new traditions & making new memories, being present in the moment not dwelling on the past but focusing on the true “REASON for the Season, its a time of Giving & Receiving Love, a time of Joy & Laughter, a time when families get together, not to focus on ‘when’ Jesus was born but “WHY” Jesus was born “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”. ~ Isaiah 9:6. 

Happy Holiday from my heart to yours!!!!!💜

To Her,

I have never had the opportunity to address you directly, nor do I want to but as I sit here reflecting on the past….the hurt, the deception, the treachery, the embarrassment, the shame and the suicide attempt. I don’t think you really understand the magnitude of your actions…you deliberately set out to destroy my life, my family. You came into my life weaving your way into the fabric, pretending to be an ally when all the time working your scheme from within. I never would have thought it would be you!

I am over the hurt, but still greatly disappointed. No, not because we had a close friendship, but because I’ve always believed there is a moral code between all women, one that we were born with. As much as we may try to silence it or ignore it — it’s still there. I’m not solely blaming you for what happened because I truly believe it would have occurred sooner or later in some form or another but you do have a responsibility.

Well today would have been my 35th wedding anniversary and is always a day of reflection for me but this year it’s different. Dec 24, 1982 was the day that God began a season in my life that would lead me to who I am today, Dec 24, 2017. You see, my divorce (June 2013) has taught me that people may come into your life but not all are not meant to stay in your life. People come into your life for a Reason, a Season, a Lifetime or all three & my ‘Wasband’ (was my husband) was all 3.

Reason ~ To guide me into a spiritual relationship with and a firm foundation in God through Jesus Christ that would carrie me through any situation. To teach me unconditional love, unwavering faith & genuine forgiveness. I learned that life is uncertain, full of ups & downs but God in consistent.

The Season ~ the winter of 1979 until the winter of 2012!

Lifetime ~ Through our children & grandchildren we will forever be connected. It is my sincere prayer that one day will be able to be in the presence of one another as co-grand-parents.

So on today Dec 24, 2017 I have no anger, no tears, no regrets…..nothing but Gratitude & Appreciation because I realize that God is in control. The scripture Romans 8:28 has come to life in my life “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” and All Things have worked together for My Good.

I am truly Thankful for those 30+ years….for It was through that season (my marriage) God Poured the BEST INTO ME….and the last 5 years (my divorce) God has Brought the BEST OUT OF ME and as for my future……THE BEST IS YET TO COME so In all things, I Give Thanks!!🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽